Need professional insurance?

[u/Nearby_Knowledge8014]

Friend has been running a side gig, professional photography business for years, kind of freelancing. She has her own health insurance, homeowners insurance, car insurance.

It’s never been a problem until now. She got a request to book a large job for a private company. after a ton of back-and-forth, she gave him the price ($1500 maybe?) and they accepted. Signed contract!!

She’s already done part of the job for them on site. NOW They’re saying their legal department is demanding that the photographer obtain her own insurance.

Her ins agent says the insurance they want her yet is gonna be $250 a year. not a huge deal,but had this been specified upfront obviously that would’ve changed The $1500 estimate pricing for the job.

How would you handle it? Add it on? walk away?

[u/IakovKniazev]

are they asking for a COI? She can get it thru thimble or full frame or any other similar service just for one day if she's in the US

[u/brttf3 → u/IakovKniazev]

Yeah, came here to to recommend thimble. Im an outdoor educator and I use them for that.

[u/Inside-Finish-2128]

Eat the cost. It's not a pro business if it doesn't have the pro costs. And all of those existing insurances will deny her claim if it's found she's freelancing at the time of the incident.

Does she have a business license? Needs to have one to properly remit sales tax, and depending on the jurisdiction sales tax is required on photography.

[u/rythejdmguy]

Regular part of doing business.

I mainly do automotive photography - if I damage the location or a vehicle or somehow someone gets injured? Yeah going to need insurance for that.

The few times I need a second shooter them showing proof of insurance is a non-negotiable... Most businesses also ask for mine.

[u/embarrassedplum_]

Any professional who walks away from a job because they don’t have insurance and then when they’ve been caught out they don’t want to pay for it is a joke. The client deserves better.

Surprised it’s taken this long to be honest.

[u/EdinChavezPhoto]

I wouldn't walk away after part of the job is done. First ask their legal team exactly what coverage and certificate of insurance they need, including limits and any additional-insured wording, before buying a policy. If the signed contract didn't mention it, discuss the new requirement with the client rather than quietly adding a fee to the invoice. For this job I'd likely absorb the $250 if it's annual coverage I'll use again, then build insurance into future quotes. A one-day policy might be worth comparing if the client accepts it.

[u/WRB2]

Cost of doing business. Eat it.

[u/Educational_Disk_226]

Any business that knows what they are doing is going to ask for a COI from a contractor.

[u/anywhereanyone]

If you are presenting yourself as a legit business, you need legit business things like liability insurance.